Pages

Friday, January 9, 2015

The Screeching Two Year Old and Other Bitter Sweet Moments

Almost every day I find myself shocked by how different "Neurotypical 2" (which is how I think of Patch in my head sometimes, when I realize how different he is from any other two year old I've had) is different from "ADHD 2" and "ASD 2" (at least how we've experienced each of those variations of kids living under our roof). Labels may bother some people, but sometimes, when I find myself struck by the profound difference between each of our kids at this stage of development, they can be hard to ignore.

And while there have been specific challenges with each of the kids, as with any two year old (Patch is the first two year old I've had who actually stops when I say "stop" instead of running the opposite direction or walks towards me when I say "come here") I still find myself marveling on a daily basis at how different he is from his big sisters. Part of that may come from the fact that he's a boy, and the third born instead of first or second, but I think a huge part of it comes from the fact that he has far more words than either of his sisters did at this point in life... which brings me to yesterday.

Patch's favorite phrase of the week is "Help me." Or to be more accurate to what it sounds like in real life:

"HELP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It is usually accompanied by dropping to the ground, or onto a nearby piece of furniture and scream/sobbing the words in a loud voice to express the horribleness of any given situation.

And that situation can be anything from not feeling like climbing up on the couch by himself to wanting to be lifted into his high chair because he's decided he needs to sit in it immediately, even though no meal time is in sight. It can also be heard echoing through the house because he doesn't want to wear clothes and I'm wrestling him into a sleeper because he feels like a little ice cube or because his sister has just touched his Bubble Puppy doll, which many of you may not know is the worst thing that can possibly happen. Ever.

He might scream it because he has to hold my hand when we're walking across a parking lot or because he doesn't think he needs to be buckled into his car seat when we're driving.

And as aggravating and ear splitting as it can be, it's also kind of wonderful to see the ease with which he's acquiring words. And sometimes it can be a little bitter sweet too.

Your experiences may be bittersweet, but really, maybe it's better that you experienced Mae before you had Patch, because then you didn't have any pre-conceived notions of two year old behavior, and just accepted her as she was. Now you know how different the world is for her, you can work with her. But yes, as Patch grows the differences will be more pronounced and obvious. But, God has His plans.

We had a couple months of crazy screaming when the twins didn't immediately get what they want and I was so tempted to give in but I'm really glad we stuck to our guns because all of a sudden they're asking politely and in complete sentences for what they need! It's amazing! Of course, the screaming ensues when I explain to them that no, they may not have a cupcake for breakfast even if they said please... But still, it's a start!

I love comments and I read every single comment that comes in (and I try to respond when the little ones aren't distracting me to the point that it's impossible!). Please show kindness to each other and our family in the comment box. After all, we're all real people on the other side of the screen!

Translate

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.